This Land, Your Land

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking new members of the Elk Bugle Corps, volunteers who give visitors information about responsible elk viewing practices and elk behavior, and help rangers with parking and traffic management.

Many of then 80 volunteers recruited last year are returning, but the park needs to replace some who are moving on to other opportunities this summer, a news release says. The goal is to recruit and train new volunteers who can commit to assisting on a recurring basis.

Each volunteer will be asked to work at least two scheduled, four-hour shifts per month starting the second week in May and continuing through November.

Two informational meetings and new volunteer orientation sessions will be held at the ranger station in Cataloochee Valley from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on April 15 and 17. All potential volunteers will be required to attend one of the orientation sessions as well as one full day of training during the last week of April and the first week of May.

If you're interested, e-mail Ranger Mark LaShell through the link at the news release or phone (828) 269-3161 (e-mail is preferred).